Hi brothers and sisters, my name is Klaas Cho.

When people hear my name, they often wonder about the connection between my appearance and my name. The story behind it begins about twenty-seven years ago on the other side of the world, in Korea.

On a blossoming spring day, my grandfather visited a temple in the mountains to see his teacher, a monk. After waiting for some time, he was finally able to speak with him and said, “My grandson has just been born. What would be a good name for him?”

After hearing about the baby, the monk gave the name Moongi, meaning “foundation of study.” He said that with this name the boy would live a life devoted to study. My grandfather gladly received the name he had waited for and passed it on to my father, and so it became my name.

In God’s providence, that name would later take on a deeper meaning. One way Moongi can also be understood is as “study of Christ.” Without realizing it, my grandfather gave me a name that would point toward the direction God would give my life—to study Christ all my life and, beyond that, to guide others to grow in their study of Him.

I was born into a non-Christian family, the youngest of two children, dearly loved by my parents and my sister. Though I could not ask for a more wonderful family, I did not grow up knowing the love of God in Christ. Yet the Lord was gracious. In middle school, He opened my eyes to see that God is real, and in high school, through the preaching of His Word, He opened my heart to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. At the same time, He placed in me a deep desire to know His Word. From that point on, I longed to devote my life to the study of Christ and the proclamation of His love, to which my name has pointed me all along.

For some time, however, I struggled with the assurance of my salvation. In His kindness, the Lord led me to the writings of Klaas Schilder and others shaped by his theological work. Through their faithful explanation of Scripture, God helped me understand the riches of His covenant promises and brought me to the joyful assurance that Jesus Christ is truly my Lord and my Saviour. Through that same path, I also came to appreciate the Canadian Reformed Churches, especially their commitment to the authority of Scripture and to the Reformed confessions as its faithful summary.

Because of that, it became clear to me that I should come to Canada to study at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary. After completing a bachelor’s degree in theology in Korea, I moved to Canada in 2021. As a reminder of God’s grace along this path, I adopted the name “Klaas,” much like a newcomer to a new country might take on a new name. I remain thankful for the way the Lord used Schilder and others in my life. At the same time, the name also reminds me of the initial calling I felt years ago—to serve Christ’s church by holding firmly to the authority of Scripture and the Reformed confessions, and in that way contribute to the building up of His church.

The past four years in Canada have been some of the most adventurous and formative years of my life. My first year was spent in British Columbia working at various jobs, which helped me better understand the lives of ordinary church members. After that, I began my studies at the seminary.

My time at CRTS has been a great blessing. I am deeply thankful for the professors who taught us with such dedication—not only through their theological insight, but also through their humility, love for the church, and personal encouragement. Learning from them, together with the close fellowship of fellow students, has been both inspiring and enriching. The seminary has significantly shaped me both intellectually and spiritually as I prepare for ministry.

The Lord also blessed me with valuable opportunities to learn from ministers and congregations through internships. In Smithville, I had the privilege of teaching catechism for one year, which was my first opportunity to serve the church in instruction. In my first year, an orientation internship with Rev. Roukema introduced me to the rhythms of a minister’s life. In my second year, a preaching and mission internship with Rev. Bruintjes and Rev. Park helped me better understand the work of pastoral ministry and local mission. In my third year, a preaching internship with Rev. Wieske provided further pastoral guidance and wisdom. I am very thankful for the rich mentorship of these ministers.

I am also truly grateful to the congregations that welcomed me and allowed me to serve among them. My serving experiences at Ebenezar CanRC, Bethel CanRC, St. Albert CanRC, Spruce Grove Church Plant, Calgary CanRC, and Coaldale CanRC were special blessings that I greatly treasure. Above all, the encouragement and kindness of God’s people throughout these years have been both humbling and strengthening. Building on the initial calling I felt, these experiences have shown me the profound delight of serving God’s precious people – walking alongside them, supporting their growth in Christ, and sharing in the life of the congregation – a joy that continues to guide and inspire my calling to pastoral ministry.

As I reflect on this journey—from the story of my name Moongi in Korea to the path the Lord has led me on as Klaas in Canada—I see His faithful hand guiding my story. And my prayer is that He will continue to write my story for His story, using my life for the study of Christ and the proclamation of His gospel.

As I come to the end of my time at CRTS, I hope, the Lord willing, to present myself before classis at the beginning of June to become eligible for call. Amazed by the Lord’s faithful guidance and the remarkable growth He has granted me so far, I look forward with confidence that He will continue to accomplish His good purpose. May He use Moongi to promote the study of Christ among His people, and Klaas to serve in building up Christ’s church in faithful commitment to the Bible and the Reformed confessions, guided by a profound love for God’s people, all for the glory of His name.

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” (Psalm 138:8)